Apple Cider Vinegar: Tried and True Health Help or Hype?

A few years ago it seemed that all most people wanted was their doctor to prescribe a pill for them to pop to cure all that was ailing them – body, mind, and soul. Today the story (thankfully) is beginning to change.

Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits

The tide has begun to shift from people wanting solely pharmaceutical quick fixes to a more all natural approach. Maybe it’s watching the rates of cancer, heart disease, and diabetes soar or people’s own personal experience with some of the nasty, unpleasant side effects of pharmaceuticals driving them to demand change. Either way change is coming as more people look to all natural solutions for health issues.

One of the forerunners in this movement is looking back to the age old apple cider vinegar to heal many ailments. From asthma to high cholesterol apple cider vinegar is touted to cure many disorders and diseases. But is it all true or just hype?

Exploring the Healing Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is created from just what you imagine – the apple Vinegar means ‘sour wine’ in French. Basically, apple cider vinegar takes apples crushes them, adds sugar and yeast, allows them to ferment two times thus becoming apple cider vinegar.

Vinegar has been used for more than 10,000 years as a medicinal treatment. It was used by the Babylonians, the Samuri’s, Hippocrates used it as an antibiotic treatment. More recently it was used during the civil war and in World War I.

Most recently apple cider vinegar was brought back into popularity when well known Vermont doctor, D.C. Jarvis, wrote a book in which he promoted the use of apple cider vinegar to cure many ails including migraines, diabetes, chronic fatigue, arthritis, and other common ills.

Today the same numerous claims about the healing properties of apple cider vinegar abound. However the science to back these claims is scarce. Now when it comes to science validating claims of all natural remedies I know that there isn’t always evidence from research on the books even though the cures are real.

There are three areas associated with the healing benefits of apple cider vinegar that recent scientific data does support. Let’s discuss them here.

4 Scientifically Backed Healing Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

1. Apple Cider Vinegar and High Cholesterol

In an article published in the British Journal of Nutrition in 2006 a study was performed on rats to determine if consuming apple cider vinegar had any impact on their cholesterol levels.

The evidence showed that these rats levels of cholesterol were reduced by consuming apple cider vinegar in two stages. First the action in the liver and secondly the way the apple cider vinegar impacted bile acid secretion.

Yes, this study is on rats not humans but the results show promise.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar and Diabetes

While the research into apple cider vinegar and its health benefits are in its infancy the area of diabetes research is the most advanced. In several studies it has been shown that apple cider vinegar reduces blood glucose levels. One study published in Diabetes Care, the journal of the American Diabetes Association it was shown that people with diabetes type 2 who took two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar daily had reduced levels of blood glucose levels when tested in the morning. Their levels of reduction were four to six percent.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar and Blood Pressure

Some proponents of apple cider vinegar swear by this treatment to reduce high blood pressure. According to research published in Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry found that when rats consumed apple cider vinegar they had reductions in blood pressure levels. It was determined that the reduction in blood pressure was due to the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar and Weight Loss

This is one of the ways apple cider vinegar has been used for many hundreds of years medicinally. When it comes to scientific data, there is evidence suggesting that apple cider vinegar consumed before a meal promotes the feelings of being full. This results in less eating and therefore reduced weight gain. Dr. Jarvis was also a proponent of apple cider vinegar for weight loss.

Each of these studies are small in size and more conclusive evidence is needed. However, you can opt to consume apple cider vinegar daily following safety guidelines and see for yourself the results.

How to Use Apple Cider Vinegar

If you want to use apple cider vinegar it’s important to choose your product carefully. You want to look in the bottle and see ‘the mother.’ That is a milky, murky, cob web looking substance that you’d otherwise steer away from without a doubt. But when it comes to high quality apple cider vinegar this is what you want. Choose a product with no or very minimal processing. You can even opt to make your own apple cider vinegar.

Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic so it’s best to take one to two tablespoons a day mixed in juice or water. This way you won’t risk damaging your tooth enamel or throat and mouth tissues with regular use.

The health claims associated with apple cider vinegar are many. Do your own research by trial and error. Then you’ll know what works best for you.

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I am unsure about how much ACV cn be used in a day. In one of your videos about the ACV, Lemon, Cinnamon, water, and stevia drink- according to the video, one could take this three times a day, equalling 6 tablespoons of ACV This article claims to not take more than 2 per day. Can you clarify Dr Axe? I love this website by the way

I use Braggs apple cider vinegar to keep my ph level balanced, and found that I no longer have acid reflex. Before I became aware of,”what you eat is what you are,” I often ate foods like bread and sugar that gave me acid reflex and was even diagnosed with “Gerd.” Now I seldom eat foods that will cause acid reflux, but if I do, I take two TBS apple Cider vinegar and 1/4 tsp baking soda in a glass of water, and symptoms are gone in a few minutes. I would be interested in knowing if there is a better measurement for the ACV and baking soda. I am just using proportions that seem to work for me.

I have been told by another chiropractor for nursing mothers who get mastitis to take a teaspoon or tablespoon every couple of hours to combat the infection. Any thoughts on this or anyone who has tried it?

Poke root, taken in very small doses of 3-4 drips under the tongue is an extremely effective treatment for mastitis. Poke root can be toxic in large amounts so please do your own research. It is safely taken while nursing.

I, too, have ulcers and I have had no problem with apple cider vinegar. I use it every day as my salad dressing and I drink it in water with a little Stevia as well. I have what to me are very picky ulcers and they do fine with apple cider vinegar.

I don’t think you’ll have any trouble and I think the benefits are huge.

The Healthy Back Institute has some wonderful info &amp; videos for all kinds of back issues. What’s really great is that there is a lot of free info on this site. Just Google ‘Healthy Back Institute’. They also have a free download for an ebook on how to stop the back pain. It’s a natural approach that I have found to be very effective. Blessings to you. May you get relief soon.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your physician before using this product.